Background: Epileptic patients have special needs, and dental treatment may be challenged. Epileptic patients have a more significant number of decayed or missing teeth; therefore, they may require frequent dental treatment. The negative attitude of healthcare providers toward epileptic patients can influence the efficiency of health services this population receives. The present study aimed at evaluating dentists’ knowledge and attitude regarding epileptic patients and seizures in dental practice.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included a group of Saudi dentists during the period between August and December 2020. The study was conducted using a questionnaire composed of six parts to investigate the dentists’ demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitude.
Results: This study enrolled 300 dentists, with males being more predominant (56.66%). Only 37% and 31.33% knew someone with epilepsy and saw someone having an epileptic seizure, respectively. The most common causes of epilepsy reported were brain tumors (31.66%), followed by inherited disease. A large proportion of participants defined the epileptic attack as a convulsion or shaking (21.66%).
Conclusion: The dentists had inadequate knowledge about epilepsy and a negative attitude toward treating patients with epilepsy.
Key words: Dentists, knowledge, attitude, epilepsy, seizures.
|
